Typing with sore and somewhat raw fingertips tonight. Miss Simon, my sadistic 3rd grade teacher who made us stand next to our desk with our arms out to the side and palms piled high with books, could NOT have come up with torture as miserable as detail sanding 3d carvings that turn out a little rough.
Do you guys use any special techniques or tools to tackle this task (without sacrificing carving detail) when it comes up? Flap wheels? Maroon pads? Make the kids do it under threat of being fed to the monsters under the bed? Hold back their allowance if they give you grief, cry, or botch it? Promise your spouse a night out at the McDonald’s drive through if s/he will do it?
If there is an answer, surely it will come from our august group.
I like the toothbrush like brushes. I think the stainless steel is too rough but the plastic fiber one works for me. I occasionally use the Dremel sanding mops from Amazon.
Not a better way to sand solution however if you’re open to a different species try some basswood, it has generally machines very well for me and might reduce the sanding requirements.
I don’t recall ever doing much sanding on any of my 3d stuff. Mostly brass brush and that’s it. It always amazes me how little work I have to do after a 3d carve. That’s fo me atleast. Last one was 3 weeks ago a wavy flag and was smooth as butter.
These are what I use. Usually the brass does the work. If it’s thinner more delicate stuff I’ll use the Nylon one. I picked these up cheap at Harbor Freight. I use shellac since most of these are going indoors and on a wall. After the first coat, I can usually knock any raised fibers off with running my hand over them or a vacuum brush attachment.
